Picture this: the mesmerizing aurora borealis lighting up the sky over Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories. But for Byron Lane, his eyes were fixed on someone far more captivating—his boss, the legendary actress Carrie Fisher. “She had dreamed of seeing the northern lights her entire life,” he shares exclusively with Closer Weekly, now on newsstands. “I called the travel agent, and within hours, we were on our way to Canada. Watching her experience the magic of the lights was pure joy for me.”
Unfiltered Access to Carrie Fisher's World
Over the course of three years, Lane had a front-row seat to Carrie Fisher’s personal life as her personal assistant. It wasn’t just about organizing schedules or handling errands; it was about being part of her world. “There were no masks or illusions with Carrie,” Lane explains. “She was always genuine, always herself, no matter the situation.”
With her mother, the iconic actress Debbie Reynolds, living right next door, and her daughter, actress Billie Lourd, close by, Carrie was surrounded by an unwavering circle of love. “She had this incredible support system,” Lane recalls fondly. “It was clear that family was everything to her.”
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Days Filled with Adventure
Lane’s time with Carrie wasn’t just about work—it was an adventure. “Every day felt like something out of a storybook,” he reminisces. “Even the simplest tasks, like running errands, turned into something extraordinary when she was along for the ride. She had this incredible sense of humor, and it made every moment special.”
The Challenges Along the Way
Of course, there were challenges too. One of the biggest hurdles Lane faced was getting Carrie to make decisions about the more mundane aspects of her life, like travel plans. “She didn’t love getting into the nitty-gritty details,” Lane admits, reflecting on her struggles with bipolar disorder. “That was the only part that felt like an actual job.”
Carrie’s Legacy Lives On
When Carrie tragically passed away in 2016 from a sudden heart attack at the age of 60, Lane was heartbroken. “Carrie always said, ‘Take your broken heart and go make art,’” he reflects. This sentiment inspired Lane to write his novel, A Star Is Bored, which, while fictional, captures the essence of their time together. “It’s filled with whispers of real moments,” Lane explains. “I think she would have approved.”
— Louise A. Barile, with reporting by Diana Cooper
For more on Byron Lane’s story, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, available now on newsstands.
